What you will study
This masters-level module is divided into two broad sections. In the first and longer section you'll be exploring five clusters of major literary texts, from the ancient past right up to the present. These clusters have been chosen to exemplify some of the complex and fascinating ways in which certain literary themes, personae or narratives have circulated within and across widely differing contexts and periods. You'll be considering, for example, the phenomenon of rewrites and adaptations of literary texts in different genres, languages and media. This will include study not only of their critical reception, but of their material production, distribution and dissemination. You'll be encouraged to bring a range of relevant theoretical approaches to literary texts and become aware of the ways in which these approaches themselves have histories, and are practised within institutional frameworks.
The second and shorter section of the module continues the exploration of literary circulations across boundaries, and the adaptation and recreation of texts in a range of different media. Its main focus, however, is on issues of literary history and book history, with reference to two very different literary texts: Byron’s satirical poem Don Juan and Kipling’s novel Kim. These will be used to open up discussion of the ways in which our understanding of literary texts can be deepened by reference to the specific historical frameworks and contexts within which they are produced and consumed, and to explore the concepts, methodologies and practices of book history, and how this relates to our study of literature.
The overall aims of the module are to provide you with a rich and exciting experience of higher level literary study while at the same time developing your independent skills in literary research. The study materials provide guided reading to a wide range of critical approaches. Assignments also cover a wide range of topics and allow you to focus on and develop particular critical and theoretical interests, (for example in post-colonial theory, feminist theory, literary and book history, or interdisciplinary research).
The module as a whole will provide you with opportunities to develop the analytical and research skills required for study at this level, with an increasing emphasis on your individual research as the module progresses. You'll need to have successfully completed this module as it prepares you to undertake the dissertation module, MA English part 2 (A816) for which you'll choose, in consultation with your tutor, a topic of your own devising, so as to pursue your own particular critical and theoretical interests, building on the study areas and approaches that you explored.
The module structure, with the texts to be studied, is as follows:
Block 1
Sophocles, Antigone
Jean Anouilh, Antigone
Block 2
Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
Jean Rhys, Wide Sargasso Sea
Block 3
William Shakespeare, Coriolanus
Bertholt Brecht, Coriolan
Block 4
Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe
J.M. Coetzee, Foe and Dusklands
Block 5
Genesis Chapters 1–3
John Milton, Paradise Lost
William Blake, Milton
Block 6
Lord Byron, Don Juan
Block 7
Rudyard Kipling, Kim
Entry
You must hold a UK honours degree (or equivalent) preferably with at least a 2:1 classification. Although your degree does not need to be in English or a closely related subject, you will need some knowledge of the subject as this module assumes all candidates have the knowledge and skills usually acquired by pursuing the subject at undergraduate level.
If your degree or background is not in English or a closely related subject, you are strongly recommended to undertake the preparatory work indicated below prior to studying this module.
If you’re in any doubt about the suitability of your qualifications or previous experience, please contact us before you enrol.
Preparatory work
If your degree is not in English or a closely related subject, we strongly recommend that you read material from the set books list (see 'Study materials' tab). The Handbook to Literary Research (ed. Da Sousa Correa and Owens) outlines the skills you will need to study for this qualification.
You’ll need broadband internet access and a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date version of Windows (10 or 11) or macOS Ventura or higher.
Any additional software will be provided or is generally freely available.
To join in spoken conversations in tutorials, we recommend a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).
Our module websites comply with web standards, and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.
Our OU Study mobile app will operate on all current, supported versions of Android and iOS. It’s not available on Kindle.
It’s also possible to access some module materials on a mobile phone, tablet device or Chromebook. However, as you may be asked to install additional software or use certain applications, you’ll also require a desktop or laptop, as described above.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You'll have a tutor who will help you with the study material, mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. There will be online tutorials that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Recordings will typically be made available.
Contact us if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.